Parcela Marina - Isla de la Plata
Parcela Marina feels like the open ocean decided to take a pit stop at Isla de la Plata. You’re dropping into blue, and the world immediately opens up. We love this site for its sheer unpredictability; one dive you might glide past a curious Silvertip shark, the next you’re enveloped in a swirling school of Big-eye trevally so thick they practically blot out the sun. It's a proper schooling fish bonanza here. The real magic unfolds as you scan the mid-water. Keep an eye out for Sharpchin Flyingfish breaking the surface; it’s a rare treat to see them darting about before plunging back down. We’d suggest arriving early, before the midday sun gets too harsh, as the light plays beautifully through the immense fish schools then. This site really suits divers who appreciate big pelagic encounters and don't need a coral garden to be happy. It's exhilarating, a true taste of the Pacific's raw energy.
- Location
- Isla de la Plata, Ecuador, South America
- Coordinates
- -1.592758, -80.862600
Marine Protected Area: Zona Marina Parque Nacional Machalilla
Best Time to Dive in Isla de la Plata
The warmest water temperatures in Isla de la Plata occur in February, averaging 27.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 24.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 26.4°C
- February: 27.3°C
- March: 27.2°C
- April: 26.4°C
- May: 26.7°C
- June: 26.4°C
- July: 25.3°C
- August: 24.8°C
- September: 24.8°C
- October: 25.3°C
- November: 25.1°C
- December: 25.3°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Isla de la Plata
- AZOREANA - 4m (wreck)
- BLACK SAND I - 11m (wreck)
- BON BINI - 10m (wreck)
- BP GUAZAR - 2m (wreck)
- DARWIN - 7m (wreck)
- Dive and Surf
- DON VICTOR - 3m (wreck)
- El Pelado
- El Pelado / Islote El Pelado
- Isla Salango
- Isla Salango
- Islas Los Ahorcados
- Islas Los Ahorcados
- JAMBELI - 9m (wreck)
- JUAN BAUTISTA - 4m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Parcela Marina
Marine Life in Isla de la Plata
Home to 148 recorded species including 124 reef fish, 8 whales & dolphins, 5 other, 5 sharks & rays, 2 hard corals, 1 sea cucumbers.
Notable Species
- Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Mexican hogfish (Bodianus diplotaenia) - Reef Fish
- Brown Sea Cucumber (Isostichopus fuscus) - Sea Cucumbers
- Barberfish (Johnrandallia nigrirostris) - Reef Fish
- Chameleon wrasse (Halichoeres dispilus) - Reef Fish
- Sea Bass (Epinephelus labriformis) - Reef Fish
- Cortez Rainbow Wrasse (Thalassoma lucasanum) - Reef Fish
- Threeband Butterflyfish (Chaetodon humeralis) - Reef Fish
- Acapulco damselfish (Stegastes acapulcoensis) - Reef Fish
- Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Bumphead Parrotfish (Scarus perrico) - Reef Fish
- Spinster wrasse (Halichoeres nicholsi) - Reef Fish
- King Angelfish (Holacanthus passer) - Reef Fish
- Razor Surgeonfish (Prionurus laticlavius) - Reef Fish
- Large-banded Blenny (Ophioblennius steindachneri) - Reef Fish
- Black coral (Antipathes galapagensis) - Hard Corals
- Sabertooth Blenny (Plagiotremus azaleus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Parcela Marina
Based on average water temperature of 25.9°C, currents 4 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories